Cybersecurity in Local Government: Protecting Citizen Data

Local governments hold a treasure trove of citizen data from personal records to financial details making them increasingly attractive targets for cyber criminals. In recent years, even major cities like Baltimore, Dallas, and Cleveland have suffered crippling cyberattacks, exposing sensitive data and disrupting public services. Such breaches don’t just compromise information; they undermine public trust and can grind essential community functions to a halt. It’s clear that cybersecurity for local government is not just an IT issue, but a core public safety concern. In this article, we’ll explore why local governments are at risk, what threats they face, and cybersecurity solutions for the public sector that can protect citizen data in an engaging, practical way.

The Growing Cyber Threat to Local Governments

Over recent years, the landscape of cyber threats facing municipalities has shifted dramatically. Don’t think small towns are safe quite the opposite. Attackers often single out local agencies precisely because many lack the resources and defenses of larger governments. In fact, cyberattacks on state and local entities have surged by roughly 50% over the past five years. Ransomware gangs and other hackers know that local governments manage vast amounts of sensitive citizen data, but often run on limited budgets and outdated systems, making them prime targets creating a critical need for experienced government IT contractors to help strengthen defenses.

Figure: Dramatic increase in cyber incidents targeting local governments from 2022 to 2023. Malware attacks jumped by 148%, ransomware incidents by 51%, and non-malware attacks by 37%. Incidents involving endpoints (e.g. breaches of devices or unauthorized access) skyrocketed by 313%. This upward trend underscores the urgent need for stronger defenses at the local level.

Why are local governments so vulnerable? Consider some of the unique challenges they face:

• Limited IT Budgets and Staff: Many municipalities operate with tight budgets and small IT teams. This means fewer resources to invest in modern cybersecurity tools or dedicated security personnel. Attackers exploit these gaps, knowing some towns can’t afford enterprise-grade defenses.
• Outdated Systems and Legacy Tech: Local agencies often rely on legacy software and infrastructure that hasn’t been properly updated or patched, leaving security holes open. Aging systems can be easier for hackers to breach due to known vulnerabilities.
• Sensitive Citizen Data: From tax records to health and public safety data, local governments store information that hackers find very valuable. Access to citizen data is a big motivator for attacks criminals can sell personal data or hold it hostage for ransom.
• Lack of Training and Policies: It’s common for small governments to have limited cybersecurity awareness. Busy staff may not be trained to spot phishing emails or follow strict password policies. A lack of documented security processes means human error (like clicking a malicious link) can more easily lead to a breach.
• Compliance Pressures: Governments must also comply with various regulations (state data privacy laws, CJIS, etc.). Navigating these requirements with limited resources is tough, and non-compliance can increase risk of fines or incidents. (For example, not following proper data handling guidelines could expose citizen data.)

These factors create a “perfect storm” of risk. It’s no surprise that one analysis found municipalities are the primary victims of many cyber hacks, and malware attacks on local governments more than doubled between 2022 and 2023. In short, local government cybersecurity challenges are real, but they can be overcome by understanding the threats and taking proactive steps.

Common Cyber Threats to Local Agencies

What kinds of cyber threats are hitting local governments? It’s a mix of familiar attacks and some that exploit the specific weaknesses of public sector networks. Here are some of the most prevalent cyber threats facing local agencies today: 

1. Ransomware

Perhaps the biggest threat. In a ransomware attack, hackers encrypt a government’s data and demand a ransom payment to unlock it. This has happened to cities large and small for instance, an attack in 2023 breached Columbus, OH’s network and hackers demanded nearly $2 million in ransom. When data like utility or court records are held hostage, city services can grind to a halt. Alarmingly, 44% of global ransomware attacks in 2020 targeted municipalities, showing how often local governments are in the crosshairs. The consequences of ransomware are severe: loss of citizen data (leading to potential identity theft), huge recovery costs, and shaken public confidence.

2. Phishing Attacks

Phishing is a primary entry point for many breaches. Attackers send fraudulent emails that appear legitimate to trick employees into clicking malicious links or giving up credentials. All it takes is one unsuspecting staffer clicking a booby trapped email attachment for hackers to infiltrate a city network. Given the lack of cybersecurity awareness training in many local governments, phishing remains dangerously effective. Ongoing staff education is critical to counter this threat.

3. Insider Threats

Not all threats come from outside. Insider threats involve either malicious or careless insiders – for example, a disgruntled employee stealing data or an employee unknowingly misconfiguring a system and creating a loophole. Local offices tend to be tight-knit, so it’s hard to imagine colleagues going rogue, but it does happen (or someone’s compromised account is used by an attacker). Mitigating this requires both technological controls and building a culture of security awareness.

4. Denial-of-Service (DoS) Attacks

Some hackers aim to knock government services offline through DoS or DDoS attacks. By overwhelming a public-facing website or system with traffic, attackers can take down online services for example, preventing residents from paying bills or accessing records. While DoS attacks don’t directly steal data, they disrupt operations and can cause chaos especially if critical systems (911 dispatch, utility control systems, etc.) are targeted. Robust network infrastructure and cloud traffic scrubbing services help defend against these volumetric attacks.

These threats are not hypothetical they are impacting communities right now. A survey of local governments found that 68% had at least one successful cyberattack in the past yeargovtech.com, and numerous towns have had to declare emergencies due to cyber incidents. The good news is that by recognizing these threats, local leaders can take targeted action to prevent them.

Cybersecurity Solutions for the Public Sector

Facing rising threats, what can a local government do to protect citizen data and keep operations running securely? The answer is to combine smart technology investments with good policies and practices. Here are some effective cybersecurity solutions for local governments:

1. Modernize with Cloud Security:

Outdated on-premise servers are often a weak link. Moving to cloud-based solutions can significantly improve security and reliability. Cloud providers offer automatic software updates (ensuring you’re always patched against the latest threats) and built-in advanced security features that most small IT departments can’t match. By migrating systems to a secure cloud platform, local governments also gain improved data backup and disaster recovery meaning even if an attack occurs, data can be restored quickly. Embracing the cloud is a key cybersecurity strategy in the public sector today, as it offloads much of the security heavy lifting to expert providers.

2. Enable Strong Authentication:

Weak or stolen passwords remain a common cause of breaches. Implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) across all government systems is a must-do. MFA (also called two-factor authentication) requires users to provide a second form of verification (like a text code or app prompt) in addition to a passwordg. This simple step means that even if an employee’s password is phished, attackers still can’t easily access the account. Many state governments are rolling out mandatory MFA local agencies should follow suit for everything from email to financial systems.

3. Regular Software Updates and Patching:

Many attacks (from ransomware to data breaches) succeed by exploiting known vulnerabilities in software that hasn’t been updated. Local IT teams should establish a strict schedule for applying security patches and updates to all systems and devices. Yes, downtime for updates can be inconvenient, but the cost of not patching is far worse. Notably, the Center for Internet Security found many local government cyber programs are still being built out, and basic practices like consistent patching aren’t fully formalized. Making patch management a priority closes one of the biggest doors hackers use to get in.

4. Employee Training and Phishing Awareness:

Technology alone can’t stop every attack people are the first line of defense. Investing in regular cybersecurity training for city and county employees is one of the most impactful steps leaders can take. This includes teaching staff how to spot phishing emails, use strong passwords (or better, passphrases and password managers), and follow data handling best practices. Consider running simulated phishing exercises to keep everyone on their toes. Building a culture where employees feel responsible for protecting citizen data dramatically lowers the risk of a careless mistake leading to an incident.

5. Data Backups and Incident Response Planning:

It’s often said that it’s not if, but when a cyber incident will occur. Local governments need to be prepared. That means maintaining secure offline backups of critical data and having a clear incident response and disaster recovery plan. In practice, this could involve daily backups of databases to a cloud storage bucket, regular testing of restoring from backups, and a documented plan assigning roles and steps if a breach or ransomware event happens. With solid backups, agencies can recover data without paying ransoms, and a rehearsed response plan will minimize downtime when an attack strikes.

6. Network Segmentation and Access Control:

A smart technical measure to limit damage is network segmentation essentially, keeping the most sensitive systems and data on separate secure networks not accessible from the general network. For example, the computers controlling a water treatment facility or police evidence database should be isolated from the public internet or even the main office network. Strict access controls (only allow employees access to the data/systems they truly need for their job) also help ensure that one compromised account doesn’t open the floodgates to all information.

7. Appoint a Security Lead or Team:

If resources allow, designate a cybersecurity officer or small team to oversee security for the municipality. This persons can coordinate training, monitor threats, keep systems updated, and ensure policies are enforced. Many local governments share an IT director across departments extending that role to explicitly include cybersecurity oversight can make a big difference. In some cases, cities partner with county or state IT security teams to get guidance. The key is to have someone in charge of cybersecurity rather than leaving it as “everyone’s and no one’s” responsibility.

8. Collaborate and Share Information:

Cyber threats don’t stop at city limits. Local government it services should collaborate with neighboring cities, state agencies, and cybersecurity organizations to share threat information and best practices. Joining information-sharing groups (like the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center) gives small agencies access to early warnings about active threats and advice on how to respond. There’s strength in numbers a united, collaborative approach across the public sector helps raise the bar for everyone’s security.

By implementing these solutions upgrading technology, strengthening processes, and educating people local governments can dramatically improve their cybersecurity posture. It’s about layering defenses so that no single gap easily opens the door to a catastrophe.

Building a Culture of Security and Trust

Technology aside, one of the most important factors in government cybersecurity is culture. Leadership must champion the idea that protecting citizen data is fundamental to maintaining public trust. This means making cybersecurity a day to day priority not an afterthought. Simple steps like regularly discussing security in staff meetings, recognizing employees who report phishing attempts, and having clear policies everyone follows can embed security into the organizational DNA. When employees at all levels understand why cybersecurity matters to keep services running and citizens information safe, they become allies in the effort rather than potential weak links.

It’s also crucial for local governments to stay updated on emerging threats and solutions. Cybersecurity is a fast-moving field what protected your systems last year might not be enough next year. Decision-makers should take advantage of trainings, webinars, and guidance from experts (many states offer cybersecurity resources for municipalities, and organizations like DHS/CISA provide free tools and assessments). Continuous improvement is the name of the game; as cyber threats evolve, so must the defenses.

Finally, don’t hesitate to leverage outside expertise. Just as one would call in specialized help for fighting a fire or managing a complex construction project, fighting cyber threats sometimes requires experienced partners. For example, App Maisters’ Security Maisters team specializes in public sector cybersecurity and offers tailored solutions to government agencies. As a federal government technology solutions provider with SBA 8(a) Certified and Texas HUB Certified company, App Maisters understands the compliance requirements and unique challenges of government IT. Working with certified experts or managed security services can greatly amplify a small local IT department’s capabilities. The goal isn’t to hand off responsibility, but to enhance it an experienced partner can help implement advanced protections (like zero-trust architectures or 24/7 threat monitoring) that might otherwise be out of reach for a small city.

Conclusion: Protecting Communities in the Digital Age

In today’s digital era, local government cybersecurity is essential. Citizens expect secure data and reliable services, and a single breach can erode public trust. No town or county is too small to be a target, but every community can defend itself. From multi factor authentication and encrypted backups to employee training and expert partnerships, each step builds stronger defenses.

Government cyber security must be treated as a core public service, just like police or emergency response. By fostering a culture of resilience and leveraging modern tools, even the smallest municipality can protect citizen data, preserve trust, and ensure stability.

Safeguarding digital infrastructure is an ongoing journey one that keeps communities safe, secure, and thriving in the digital age.